The Spaniard has scored 27 goals in 53 appearances since costing just £2million from Rayo Vallecano 15 months ago and has even been compared to Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp by Arsene Wenger.

Laudrup dismissed that comparison, but the Swansea boss , in his 12th season as a manager, insists the attacking midfielder is priceless to the Welsh club ahead of the visit of Wenger’s Premier League table-toppers today.

Laudrup said: “I always try to get good deals for players, but Michu must be my best buy because of his importance and the impact he has had and still has on the squad.

“It’s not only about goalscoring. He wants to win and can change a game in one second. We have seen what he is capable of - he can play up front or in behind and that’s a very difficult position.

“He’s a very important player for us and it’s impossible to put a value on him.”

Centre-back Ashley Williams is a major doubt for Swansea and Laudrup admits his crocked captain could be out for a month – and potentially miss Wales’ World Cup double-header against Macedonia and Belgium - in a bid to rest and cure his long-standing ankle problem.

Laudrup added: “I will never say to a player don’t go with the national team, but the fact he is not 100% and Wales have no possibility of going through so we have to talk about it. It’s a possibility he might not play for us before those international games.”